Jul 18, 2025
Read Time: 5 mins
The Who
What is the first community you felt a sense of belonging to and why? How has this community influenced your personal and professional life?
Two communities have deeply resonated with me in different but equally powerful ways, and both have left a lasting impact on how I see the world and lead my work.
The first was at SOAS University of London. I moved to the city at 17 with a multicultural identity—Emirati, Egyptian, and Austrian—and found myself in an environment where diversity wasn’t just accepted; it was celebrated. The SOAS community was intellectually radical, creatively expressive, and deeply inclusive. Conversations challenged societal norms, and people expressed themselves through poetry, film, and art. For the first time, I felt fully embraced for who I was. It wasn’t about fitting in—it was about expanding, questioning, and evolving alongside others who were also navigating layered identities.
The second community was the fitness community in Abu Dhabi. It introduced me to individuals with high energy, ambition, and discipline, many of whom were Emirati women leading in the fitness space. This community reinforced the idea that strength is most powerful when nurtured collectively, not individually. It also helped me reconnect with the Emirati side of my identity in a grounded, meaningful way.
These two communities taught me the importance of creating safe spaces where people feel heard, seen, and valued—and the ripple effect such spaces can create. Today, this philosophy shapes my leadership at ARKAT. We integrate platforms for open dialogue, such as Instagram, blog posts, and podcasts, to allow people to reflect on their surroundings and contribute meaningfully to how cities are built and lived in.
The Why
What role do you think the communities play for the future of your business - be it from a brand, talent, innovation or sustainability lens?
Putting people first is embedded in ARKAT’s ethos and drives every decision we make—from how we frame challenges to how we design solutions. Community isn’t just something we consider; it’s the lens through which we see the world. Our practice is guided by the belief that places should be shaped not for people, but with them—a value deeply informed by my own lived experiences.
At SOAS, I witnessed the transformative power of open dialogue—how honest conversations could shift perspectives, build unlikely relationships, and create meaningful change. In Abu Dhabi’s fitness community, I experienced how shared discipline and support could elevate collective outcomes. Both experiences showed me that when people feel connected, their sense of contribution and care deepens.
This directly influences our planning work. We don’t see engagement as an external add-on; it is the foundation. It informs our thinking, inspires new directions, and builds places that people are proud of and want to protect. Communities are not just beneficiaries of our work; they are co-authors.
The What
Can you share a success story where community cultivation efforts, be it inside your organization or across the ecosystem?
One project that best illustrates this was a recent public space strategy we developed. Instead of presenting a predetermined vision, we invited the community into the design process. Through physical gatherings and digital platforms, we asked people to reflect on what public space meant to them, what memories they held, what was missing, and what they hoped for. The feedback shaped not only the spatial priorities but also the tone, materials, and programming direction. We weren’t just creating a park; we were creating a shared experience rooted in memory and aspiration.
We measured success not by the volume of input but by its depth. Phrases like “this feels like us” or “finally, someone’s listening” were far more telling than survey counts. That emotional resonance is our most powerful metric. When people feel ownership, they become stewards of place. And when that happens, cities become more resilient, more loved, and more alive.
What strategies have you found effective in fostering a culture of collaboration and trust, the key ingredients for communities? How do you maintain and nurture this culture over time?
Trust is built in the details: how you speak, how often you show up, and how you acknowledge input. At ARKAT, we rely on regular check-ins, clear communication, and co-design workshops that value every voice in the room. We’re intentional with language, avoiding technical jargon that alienates, and instead framing conversations in a way that feels inclusive and empowering. A key strategy is asking the right kind of questions. The quality of input is only as good as the invitation. We focus on questions that invite reflection, spark imagination, and meet people where they are. Over time, trust grows when people see the visible impact of their words reflected in decisions.
The How
How do you balance the needs and interests of the community with the business goals of your organization? What strategies do you use to align these objectives?
We always begin by identifying shared ground where community aspirations overlap with our client or organizational goals. Sometimes the overlap is obvious, and sometimes it requires reframing. For example, we have shown clients how embedding cultural rituals or local narratives into projects can actually enhance commercial value, not compromise it. When communities are proud of a place, they become its ambassadors.
The key is alignment through shared authorship. When communities, clients, and designers all feel a sense of ownership, you are no longer balancing conflicting interests. Instead, you are building toward a shared vision.
The Next
What role do you see technology playing in the future of community cultivation? Are there any emerging tools or platforms you are particularly excited about?
Technology is an incredible enabler when applied thoughtfully. We’ve used platforms like Maptionnaire for participatory mapping and Miro for real-time digital co-design. These tools help us include voices that may not be present in traditional forums—working parents, non-native speakers, or residents in remote areas.
Looking ahead, AI sentiment analysis is exciting for its potential to help detect unspoken needs and patterns in community feedback. These tools allow us to reach wider audiences but also go deeper, ensuring that quieter voices are not overlooked. Still, technology is only as effective as the intention behind it. It must always be in service of inclusion, not efficiency alone.
What advice would you give to other leaders looking to adopt a community-powered lens in their organizations? What common pitfalls should they avoid?
My advice is simple: slow down. Communities aren’t projects to be delivered; they are stories to be listened to—constantly and curiously. Engagement doesn’t only happen in workshops or surveys. It happens in everyday encounters—with your neighbor at the supermarket, the barista who knows your order, or the passerby who lingers in a public square. Stay open. Stay observant. One pitfall I’ve seen, especially when working across both the UK and UAE, is assuming that participation looks the same everywhere. In the UK, the challenge often lies in slow bureaucratic decision-making. In the UAE, it’s about asking the right questions and creating culturally resonant platforms for feedback. Every context demands its own rhythm and language of engagement.
At the heart of meaningful engagement is empathy; it is the foundation for true cultural intelligence. When you lead with empathy, you move beyond simply hearing communities to genuinely understanding them.